Drums and percussions have been the heartbeat of my life for as long as I can remember.   My father, who was a fine amateur percussionist (he had his own jazz club in the 1950's), taught me the basics by having me accompany him on hundreds of percussive instruments in many styles of music.   He also frequently took me to clubs and pretty much always managed to have us guest or jam with the musicians!   It was quite intimidating to a 12 year old, but also exhilarating and formative.

Right from the start, I was exposed not only to jazz, blues, rock, country, and singer songwriter music but also - and probably more importantly - to "world music", before the term was "in" or even coined.   By my teenage years, I was quite appreciative and familiar with such varied music as Afro Cuban, Latin American, Middle Eastern, African, Caribbean, Polynesian, Indian, East European and Celtic.   This proved to be invaluable to me to this day, as I constantly incorporate elements from all these cultures in my playing, no matter which style of music I perform in.  

Living in an apartment as a teenager frustrated me from further exploring the drums, so I took on singing and playing the guitar, mandolin, and banjo.   While this paid for daily living expenses and put me through college and graduate school, drums remained my first love and the instrument I was born to play.   Moving to a house several years ago allowed me to purchase a drumset and I immediately started playing in my church as well as performing as a freelance drummer.   

Although I have an undeniable passion for playing jazz, I dig virtually any style with a good vibe - from rock to funk, electronica to singer songwriter, jam band to praise and worship.   I am excited to be the drummer for Northern Point as I enjoy its choice of covers, its songwriting creativity, and the friendship of Shawn and Chuck.